Erratic Woods keeps lead

Contrasting day for Indians Jyoti Randhawa and Gaganjeet Bhullar

 
The world number one lipped out with short putts at the 15th and 16th before bogeying the par-three last for a two-under-par 68 at East Lake Golf Club.

That left Woods on five-under 135 in the PGA Tour's fourth and final FedExCup playoff event, a stroke in front of playing partner Padraig Harrington (69) and overnight leader Sean O'Hair (70) of the US.

South African Ernie Els, boosted by four birdies in five holes from the eighth, was alone in fourth place at three under after a 66.

"The day as a whole was a good day," Woods told reporters after putting himself in position to clinch the FedExCup for a second time, along with a $10 million bonus.
Woods, champion here in 2007, produced a sizzling three-birdie run from the seventh to go one shot clear.

He then struck a superb five-wood uphill from 247 yards at the par-five 15th to four feet but lipped out with his eagle putt. The tap-in birdie put him two ahead of the field.

Another brilliant approach followed at the 16th, his ball ending up less than four feet from the pin, but Woods again surprisingly lipped out and had to settle for a par four.

After parring 17 despite finding a fairway bunker off the tee, Woods overshot the green at the last and failed to reach the putting surface with his chip from tangly rough.  Harrington, yet to win this season on either the PGA or European tours, relished playing with Woods for the eighth time this year. Harrington lies sixth in the points standings and would clinch the FedExCup if he won the Tour Championship and top-ranked Woods finished no higher than third on Sunday.

Els, chasing his first title this year, was delighted to equal the lowest score of the week.

Jyoti stays afloat

Jyoti Randhawa remained in the hunt for a top-five finish, carding a sedate one-under 70 to be placed tied eighth after the penultimate round of the Japan Tour’s Panasonic Open here golf tournament on Saturday.

The seasoned pro has a total of three-under 210 after three rounds.
The other Indian in fray, Gaganjeet Bhullar, however, had a nightmarish day, going eight-over 79 for a total of seven-over 220, which left him tied 55th.

At the top, Daisuke Maruyama (202) opened up a three-stroke lead after carding a four-under 67. Kyung-Tae Kim (206) was the distant second after turning in a 66.